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FAQ

The Davis Family Foundation supports three types of 501(c)(3) charitable organizations:

Educational Organizations:  Colleges, universities, and other educational institutions.  (Grants are not made to public elementary and secondary schools, nor to schools that receive financial support from a church or other religious organization. Trustees will consider requests from other educational organizations whose purpose is to promote systemic change in education or provide innovative programs whose objectives are to improve education.)

Medical Organizations – Hospitals, clinics, and medical research organizations. Grant requests will also be considered from other similar health organizations for programs designed to increase the effectiveness or decrease the cost of medical care.

Cultural and Arts Organizations – Organizations whose customary and primary activity is to promote music, theater, drama, history, literature, the arts or other similar cultural activities.

What is not eligible for funding?

We do not fund

  • Organizations that are not tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code or have a 509(a)(3) status under Section 509(a) of the code.  Applicants with a fiscal sponsor must contact the Foundation office.
  • Individuals
  • Religious programs
  • Fellowships
  • Loans
  • Annual giving campaigns
  • Organizations with a project which may be aligned with the Foundation’s funding categories, but whose primary mission is not
  • Organizations outside of New England, unless the project is 100% Maine based
  • Public elementary and secondary schools
  • Charter schools, although requests for startup funds are eligible
  • Schools which receive financial support from a church or other religious organizations
  • Health/Medical organizations with no licensed clinician
  • Granted Health and Education applicants may not submit a request within 24 months. Granted Cultural/Arts applicants may not submit a request within 36 months. 
  • Declined applicants may not submit for the same project within 12 months

 We are unlikely to fund

  • Endowments
  • General operating expenses and/or administrative expenses (including salaries, such as a percentage of an Executive Director's salary)
  • Multi-year grants
  • Re-granting projects
  • Scholarships

Health and Education organizations that receive a grant are required to wait 24 months from the deadline date before submitting subsequent requests. Cultural/Arts organizations that receive a grant are required to wait 36 months from the deadline date before submitting subsequent requests.  In addition, declined applicants should not submit a request for the same project within 12 months from the deadline date.  Incomplete applications are not accepted. 

What are the geographic priorities of the Davis Family Foundation?

Southern Maine and other parts of Maine.

Rarely are grants awarded to organizations located in other New England states.

When are the submission deadlines?

February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date. Applications for deadlines that fall on a holiday or weekend must be received by the next business day. The Foundation does not accept applications via e-mail or mail.

How do I apply?

Review the Davis Family Foundation’s submission guidelines to determine your eligibility. Applications are accepted only through our online application system.  The Foundation does not use a pre-proposal or letter of inquiry process but will respond to questions.

What is accepted for audited and unaudited financial statements? 

Audited financial statements include audits, reviews and compilations.  If none of these statements are available, the most recent Form 990 may be submitted.  If the applying organization does not have audited financial statements or a Form 990, this should be explained in the field provided on the online application.

What is a Balance Sheet?

A Balance Sheet is also known as a Statement of Financial Position or Assets and Liabilities Statement, depending on the origin of the report (e.g. an Audit, Quicken, Quickbooks).  It reports an organization’s assets (what is owned) and liabilities (what is owed). The net assets represent the sum of all the annual surpluses or deficits that an organization has accumulated over its entire history. Reports should reflect the most recently completed fiscal year. 

Examples: Statement of Financial Position, Balance Sheet, Assets and Liabilities

What is an Income Statement?

An Income Statement is also known as the Income and Expense Statement, Statement of Activities or Profit & Loss Statement depending on the origin of the report (e.g. an Audit, Quicken, Quickbooks).  It reports an organization’s revenue and expenses for a set period of time, such as the most recent fiscal year. Reports should reflect the most recently completed fiscal year. 

Examples: Income Statement, Statement of Activities, Profit and Loss Statement

What is the project budget?

The project budget outlines the total income and expenses specific to the entire project.  A one-page table format is preferred.  The total project budget and the request amount must tie with the amount listed on the application form page.  Budgets may be itemized by function (e.g. program development, training, evaluation, or phase I, II, or III) or by object (e.g. consultants, supplies, equipment).  Applicants should submit budgets that are easiest for them to develop and monitor.  When the project has been completed grantees will be expected to submit financial reports based on the original budget. 

Example: Project Budget

What is the operating budget?

The operating budget is an estimate of expenses and revenues for the organization as a whole.  They are completed in advance of the accounting period and represent the 12-month fiscal year.  Operating budgets are generally presented in table format with the fiscal year clearly indicated in the header or table column. 

Example: Operating Budget

May I call if I have questions?

Yes, we welcome phone calls from applicants. You may reach the Grants Manager at (207) 846-9132 ext. 13, or the Grants Associate at ext. 16. 

Should educational organizations apply to the Davis Family Foundation or the Davis Educational Foundation?

Although both the Davis Family Foundation and the Davis Educational Foundation support educational institutions, their eligibility requirements, priorities and funding objectives differ. Please refer to each Foundation’s objectives for clarification. If you are still uncertain as to which foundation is more closely aligned with your needs, please contact the Foundation for clarification.

How are funding decisions made?

Trustees judge proposals against the funding objectives, on their merits and in comparison to others received.

When will we know whether our request is approved?

You may expect notification of the trustees’ decision within approximately 60 days from the date of the submission deadline.

How long must an organization wait before applying again?

The Foundation requires Health and Education organizations that receive a grant wait 24 months from the deadline date before submitting subsequent requests, and that Cultural/Arts organizations that receive a grant wait 36 months from the deadline date before submitting subsequent requests.

 

In addition, declined applicants should not submit a request for the same project within 12 months.

Does the Davis Family Foundation make multiple-year awards?

The Foundation normally provides one-year grants only.

Does the Davis Family Foundation require a completion report?

Yes. We request that grantees provide us with a completion report within 12 months of receipt of the grant. At the time of grant notification, we will provide information regarding submitting your report through our online system.  Please note that you will be notified using the email address of the proposal contact.

If the project is not completed within one year, we ask that grantees contact the Grants Manager via phone or email with a brief update on activities, including estimated completion date.

I am signed in to my account, but I can't find where to start a new application.

Even if you have an existing account, all new applications MUST be started by clicking the "Click Here to Start a New Application" link found on the Apply page.

How do I navigate the online application?

Please review the online application instructions found HERE.

How do I access or change login information of prior colleagues?

There are helpful links in the portal to retrieve forgotten email addresses and passwords, but these may not be helpful if staff and access to grant applications has evolved. You may contact our Grants Associate support at (207) 846-9132 X16 or [email protected] .